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Why have universities and research institutions become some of the most frequently targeted organisations in the world? Wojciech Górecki from the AGH Cybersecurity Center will address this question during Security BSides Kraków 2026. The international cybersecurity conference will take place on 25-26 September 2026 in Building D-17 at AGH University in Kraków.
Security BSides Kraków is a community-driven event bringing together IT security specialists, penetration testers, developers, business representatives and students from Poland and other European countries. This year’s edition is expected to attract approximately 500 participants, with a programme featuring expert talks, workshops and opportunities for practical knowledge exchange. More information is available on the Security BSides Kraków website.
Why has the academic sector become an attractive target?
Wojciech Górecki, an expert from the AGH Cybersecurity Center, will be among this year’s speakers. His presentation, entitled: “Cybersecurity in universities and research institutions – why has the academic sector become one of the most targeted sectors worldwide?” will take place as part of the Business Village programme from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m.
Universities and research institutions operate on the principles of openness, international cooperation and the broad exchange of knowledge. At the same time, they have access to valuable data, research results, intellectual property and strategically important technologies. This combination makes the academic sector an attractive target for both cybercriminals and state-sponsored threat actors.
During his presentation, Wojciech Górecki will discuss the evolving cyber threat landscape facing universities and research organisations. He will also explore the challenges associated with protecting scientific research and dual-use technologies that can have both civilian and military applications. An important part of the presentation will focus on practical approaches to strengthening institutional resilience and developing capabilities to detect and respond to cybersecurity incidents.
The SOCCER project and „SOC4Academia Toolbox”
Participants will also learn about the SOCCER project, which aims to strengthen the cyber resilience of Europe’s academic and research sector. One of its key results is the “SOC4Academia Toolbox” - a comprehensive set of recommendations, good practices and practical tools supporting universities and research institutions in establishing and developing Security Operations Center capabilities.
The publication helps organisations assess their current maturity level, identify their most important needs and plan the further development of their capabilities in threat monitoring, incident management and cooperation with other stakeholders across the cybersecurity ecosystem. The Toolbox also reflects the specific characteristics of the academic sector, including its distributed infrastructure, large and diverse user base, open culture of collaboration, and organisational and financial constraints.
The “SOC4Academia Toolbox” is available to download free of charge at toolbox.soccer.agh.edu.pl.